Cyperus ustulatus

giant umbrella-sedge
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Cyperus
Species:
C. ustulatus
Binomial name
Cyperus ustulatus
Synonyms[1]
  • Mariscus ustulatus (A.Rich.) C.B.Clarke
  • Cyperus ustulatus f. grandispiculosus Kük.

Cyperus ustulatus, also known as giant umbrella-sedge[2] or coastal cutty grass is a species of sedge native to New Zealand. C. ustulatus generally grows in coastal or lowland areas near water in the North Island and on the Kermadec Islands.[1]

The leaves are wide, shiny and folded. It produces long, dark brown seed heads after flowering in summer. The seed heads are held by a cluster of leaves at the top of the plant.[3]

The Māori name for the plant is toetoe upoko-tangata. The word toetoe by itself generally refers to Austroderia which are in Poaceae, a different family. Alongside cattails (Typha orientalis, called raupō in the Maori language), it was a material used in traditional Māori kite-making.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ^ "Toetoe upoko-tangata". Greater Wellington Regional Council. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
  4. ^ Neich, Roger (1996). "New Zealand Maori Barkcloth and Barkcloth Beaters". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 33: 111–158. ISSN 0067-0464. JSTOR 42906461. Wikidata Q58677501.


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